Need advice!

[Adeybabe]

Was diagnosed with thyroid disfunction at birth. Been managing my levels with levothyroxine ever since, as a child never really noticed symptoms of it apart from the obvious low BMI than kids my age. As I have hit 22 but now I'm 23. I have not felt myself. As mad as this may sound, I some mornings don't feel like I'm in my own body but as if I can see myself go about my daily routines. I feel dizzy and Sick most of the time. I get strange chest pains at the most random time. I am also starting to notice shortness of breath when walking I'm not the speediest of walkers either. Management at work has noticed my speed isn't as great as someone else's but yet to me it feels like I'm constantly rushing. I take 125mg of levothyroxine daily in a morning. I really don't feel myself. I've been to the doctors and they lowered my dose and I don't have an up to date TSH reading to hand. Any advice on what I can do to improve my health or just make up day bareable would help! x

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum Adeybabe

I'm sorry you've been hypo since birth. Now that you are struggling, it is time to learn more about the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone replacements.

First I would suggest you request a Full Thyroid Function Test from your GP, plus Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we are usually deficient in these important minerals. All of them can cause problems.

A Full Thyroid Function Test is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3. (Some GPs think only the TSH and T4 are all that is needed but we do need to know our FT3. T4 or levothyroxine should convert to sufficient T3 which is the only active thyroid hormone that the billions of receptor cells in our bodies need for us to function normally. See the link below and cursor to Free T3 to read:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If GP or labs wont do it, you can get a private one from a recommended lab. One does a pin-prick test.

When you make an appointment with your GP for a new blood test, tell him you don't feel so well. Make it the earliest possible and fast (you can drink water). Leave about 24 hours between your dose of levo and the blood test and take it afterwards.

Get a print-out of the results, with the ranges, from the surgery (some charge a nominal sum for ink/paper). We need the ranges as labs differ throughout the country and it makes it easier to comment.

Regards

[Teuchter]

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time. Trying to keep up at work when you feel tired and slow-witted is a familiar problem to me, and probably to many forum members, and we can sympathise.

I noticed that you have had your dose REDUCED - sometimes GPs reduce dose based on a low TSH result, in the mistaken belief that low TSH means that active thyroid hormone levels are dangerously high.

This has happened to several members of this forum, resulting in a worsening of symptoms.

As Shaws has replied, obtaining as much blood test information as possible will enable members to advise you.

In the meantime, keep your chin up.